Category: Christian growth

Christian growth · Christian Life · trials · Uncategorized

Step – Don’t Stagger

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The path was fairly familiar to me – it was the route from the main meeting place at camp to the back of the camp site.  I had walked it many times in the daylight.  I knew there were steps, a hand railing, then a sidewalk, a parking lot and another set of stairs.  But at the moment that I was standing at the beginning of this journey back to my duplex, the sun had sunk down to slumber mode.  The sky was as dark as a deep cave, and we had no lanterns to light our way. I was not alone, thank the Lord; I was with a sweet friend and we clung to one another, groping our way in the blackness like Hansel and Gretel, looking for home.

We inched our way along, eyes widened to catch any ray of light that may be cast our direction, though there was none.  One step at a time, we moved slowly along, letting our heels scrape against the back of each step and our toes feeling forward for the next set of stairs.  We did finally make it – much later than we ever thought, but we vowed we would never come to camp again without a flashlight.  I’m pretty sure that whole area has lights now, and we could skip merrily back to our bunks without our major problems or hesitations we had that night!

Staggering would be the word that described our progress.  We were slow, deliberate, and apprehensive.

Just yesterday I read in Romans 4:20 –

He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith,giving glory to God.

Abraham was told that God would make of him a great nation.  Though he was old and his wife’s womb was “dead,” he didn’t stagger!  He moved ahead!  Confidently laying one foot in front of the other, he trusted God’s promise and clung to it in faith.  Rather than looking like me and my friend on our dark path, he made strides, moving forward with steps of faith pounding on the pavement of his life until God fulfilled His promise to Abraham!

As I read that verse, I wrote in my journal, “Am I staggering, or am I trusting God’s promises today?”  When we are going through any kind of hardship, trial, illness, test, or decision, we need to open God’s Word and find a promise to claim.  Then, holding fast to it, we can lift our head and move forward.  Otherwise, we will be staggering.  Our hearts will be full of fear and doubt and there will be nothing but darkness before us.

Step – don’t stagger today! You’ll only do that when you cling to the promise of God!

What promise of God’s are you clinging to at this time?

With love,

 

Christian growth · Family life · Husband · Marriage · Parenting · Pastor

The Most Popular Posts of the Year

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Top ten lists are always fun and informative.  When I look into the stats here, it helps me to know what to write and what areas women enjoy reading.

I recently enjoyed taking a look into my blog to see what RefreshHer’s top ten posts of 2015 were. Let’s have a drum roll and I’ll show you which posts made it into this year’s most popular!

When was the last time someone read “The Little Gingerbread Man” to you?!

#10  This post told Why I went to the Altar again Last Sunday.  Do you remember why?!

#9 The Topic of Conversational Respect was a marriage post that needs to be practiced by each of us wives. How are you doing at this?

#8 Using Mother’s Day as a Measuring Stick told about a trap many mom’s fall into.  The result is not pretty.

#7 Living With the Fear of Getting Caught is a partly funny story on myself;  the lesson I learned is the other part.

#6 Watch Your Step was a post written by a guest and my dear friend, Kellie.  Her insight of walking in “muck” touched all of our hearts.

#5 What you Don’t Know about Infertility was a post written to inform unsuspecting people who feel the need to say something to couples who have no children.

#4 The Best Date that Costs Nothing was close to the top, reminding me that people want help with their marriage and practical ways that will keep things fun!

#3 How To Tell if a Child Is Ready To Be Saved was read by a host of parents who are grappling with what to do with their child who keeps wanting to ask Jesus into their life.  I pray this post has sealed the answer in not only the child’s heart, but their parent’s.

#2‘s post was, How To Refresh Your Pastor.  If you’ve forgotten to pray fervently for your pastor who is fighting great spiritual battles for his congregetation, I trust you’ll hurry over and reread this post so you can be a blessing to this man who gives so much of himself for the Gospel’s sake!

And now for the most read post of 2015..

#1 I must have lots of frustrated parents reading my blog, because the best post of the year was, Training Your Preschooler To Sit in Church!  So, how’s it going?  Do you need a bit of a refresher course?  The key is being consistent with the ideas I shared.

Let me just tell you how much I appreciate each of you who take time out of your day to read my blog.  Thank you.  I pray that I can encourage and refresh your heart, home and life and encourage you to stay faithful in your walk with God.  Being His child is the best life!

Thanks again for encouraging me in another year of blogging!

Is there a topic you’d like to see addressed in this next year?  Leave a comment and let me know!

With love,

 

Christian growth

Spiritual Check-Up

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Being with family over Christmas was so much fun. It was interesting to me how much reminiscing we did! Isn’t it fun to “remember when?”

“What was your favorite childhood memory?”

“Remember when we all…”

“I’ll never forget the time…”

were phrases that were repeated over and over  – like a toddler with a question.

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At the close of 2015 and at the brink of 2016, I’m thinking quite a bit about the year that has passed. Paul reminds us to forget that which is behind and press toward the mark, but I think sometimes a reminder of accomplishments and failures alike can help motivate our future. I’m going to call it my Year-End Check Up. Here’s how I’ll check my spiritual health – I’ll ask a question and then find a practical way to analyze that area.

Check-Up List:

  • What Scripture have I memorized this year? Write down the references and recite the verses.
  • Has my prayer time improved or slacked off? Look into my prayer journal to see prayer requests added or checked off because they were answered.
  • What portion of Scripture have I read that has changed me? Look into my personal devotional journal and Bible studies completed. Was it meaningful? What did I learn and apply?
  • Was my church attendance regular? Was I serving faithfully in my church? The answer to this is simply to remember what I did or didn’t do.
  • Did I give faithfully to my local church? Look at the Tax return they give at the end of the year.
  • Did I pour into anyone else’s life for the Gospel’s sake? Write their name in my prayer journal.
  • Did I disciple anyone? Write their names in my prayer journal.
  • Am I closer to God today than I was this time last year? Ask the Lord in prayer.

Inspection of our spiritual lives is important if we desire to grow. I pray you’ll take time to have a check-up before the new year comes!

Do you have another question you’d ask during your check-up?

With love,

Christian growth · Husband · Pastor

Sin’s Grip is Lost

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It has been a week of seeing God at work! A young man for whom we have been praying to be saved, opened his heart and received Christ before our morning worship service on Sunday. Then he stood before our congregation to share that he had been saved! I hope I never get over the wonder at seeing a soul trust Christ as their Savior!

Will he have a sin-free, easy life now? Of course not. The Lord even said that we will have tribulation in this world, but we could be of good cheer! Why? He (Jesus) has overcome the world! Though this young man will have obstacles and sin to face and deal with, he can say what is expressed in this song:

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave he rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine –

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

Praise the Lord, we don’t have to sin. Is there a sin that seems to have a grip on you? If you are God’s child, realize that Christ died so that sin would not have a hold on you! Because Christ arose from the grave victorious over death, you and I can have victory of sin by His strength. What a wonderful blessing to be free!

Pastor’s Encouragement: Pray that God will give your pastor a clear, biblical vision of what your church can and should be for His glory, and that he will communicate that vision clearly and confidently to the church.

Husband Encouragement: Does your house flourish in an atmosphere of peace? According to God’s Word, peace is something that must be sought, pursued and focused on. The way you live your life and relate to your husband and family will set the tone for your home.

Likewise, you can encourage your husband to pursue peace. Praise him for his gentle spirit or his ability to diffuse conflict. Lovingly remind him of the power of his words and how much good can come from a wise comment. Thank him for being mindful to protect your family from negative entertainment options.

With love,

Christian growth

Religion: Checked Out

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Have you seen these Little Free Libraries? This one is my mom’s in central Kentucky.  It’s a great idea!

Her library reminds me of a very ambitious boy, 10 years of age, who saw the need for a library in his small community and took it upon himself to open one. We, the television audience, were receiving a tour of his very adequate library. As he got to each different section, he would explain what kind of books were on those particular shelves. He reached a rather small bookcase and said, “And here in this section is all my religion.”

How interesting…isn’t that how many Christians categorize their spiritual life? “Here in this section of my life is my religion.” Their “religion” is never brought over into every fiber of their daily living. It’s “checked out” on Sunday morning for its need and then put back on the shelf until it’s needed again. Next time, perhaps a family crisis, discovery of a terminal illness, or the death of a loved one will be the situation when they will wisely draw on the “religious section” once again.

How could we think that we can grow, much less survive int his world without a vital relationship with the Lord? Robery Lowry penned it this way, “I need Thee, O I need Thee, Ev’ry hour I need Thee, O bless me now, my Savior – I come to Thee.”

We must daily come to the Lord to grow and mature as a believer so that we may be ready for the crisis times when they come. Psalm 73:24 says, Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel.” In every decision we make through the day, great or small, we must look to the Lord for His counsel. Without His wisdom, (His Word), we’re left up to our own helpless resources. But when “my flesh and my heart fails, God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Verse 26) Verse 28 goes on, “But it is good for me to draw near to God. I have put my trust in the Lord God, that I may declare all thy works.”

Surely, drawing near to the Lord daily is “good.” We learn of His attributes, His promises, His help, and His presence on an hour by hour, moment by moment basis. Instead of having only a “religious section” on our shelves, let’s live with our spirituality infiltrated into every area of our lives, guiding and blessing us. Let’s keep our spirituality always “checked out!”

Has your walk with God been fresh and vital today or is it distant? Draw nigh to Him and He will draw nigh to you! James 4:8

With love,